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A new report has shown that there is more to an Ealing parking warden's job than issuing tickets.

It reveals they are joining the ranks of beat bobbies, postmen and high street shop owners in providing local information to the general public.

The results, published following a UK-wide survey, provides a more positive spin for the wardens – officially known as civil enforcement officers – who are often demonised for the work they do.

In Ealing 93% of parking wardens were stopped at least once a day by members of the public to deal with non-parking related problems. It also shows 66% of Ealing wardens provide information to the general public in the borough at least at least a few times a day.

The survey, by public-sector support services firm NSL, saw 1,600 wardens quizzed on their average working day. And it showed that public perception of a traffic warden may be misconstrued, with 65% of those questioned in Ealing saying they felt their presence was welcomed on the street.

Forty percent also said they found small businesses 'friendly or very friendly'. Another 29% said it was 'neutral'.

Mark Hoskin, Director of NSL’s Local Government sector, said: “Civil Enforement Officers don’t just play a vital role in ensuring vehicle congestion is minimised and that local authorities parking rules are complied with, but interact with the general public in a much more diverse way; one that could more accurately be seen as ‘street wardens’.

"Too often they are seen in a negative light, with many people not realising the roles they also informally undertake on a daily basis."